Revolutionizing Senior Care: Optima Living and University of Alberta Spark a Transformative Partnership

Advancing Dementia Care and Healthy Aging for Canadian Seniors

Edmonton, Alberta – October 9, 2025 – A groundbreaking collaboration between Optima Living and the University of Alberta’s Department of Medicine, under the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, led by Professor of Healthy Aging, Dr. Adrian Wagg, is shaping the future of care. This four-year partnership will drive innovative research, further evidence-based care models, and meaningful community engagement, showcasing a shared commitment to enhancing the quality of life for older adults.

“We are privileged to work in partnership with Optima Living on projects that ensure that the care offered to older adults living with a dementia diagnosis is the best evidence-informed care. Optima’s Spark Memory Living Program will ensure improving the quality of life for older adults living with dementia, and their families, is at the centre of care,” said Dr. Adrian Wagg, Professor of Healthy Aging, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta.

"Our passion for brain health and memory care drives everything we do. Partnering with the University of Alberta strengthens our ability to bring the latest research directly to our residents who will have access to innovative memory living programs and wellness education informed by cutting-edge research," said Farid F. Damji, Co-Founder & Principal. Optima’s evidence-based approach ensures that every individual receives personalized care tailored to their cognitive needs.

A Shared Vision for Innovation in Senior Living

What began as a casual conversation between Optima Living Co-Founder & Principal, Farid F. Damji, and Dr. Wagg in the summer of 2021 has evolved into a transformative partnership rooted in a shared commitment to creating knowledge, sharing it, and enhancing the lives of seniors, particularly those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Wagg’s leadership played a pivotal role in shaping Optima Living’s care philosophy, including the development of the acclaimed Spark Memory Living by Optima—a holistic, person-centred approach to memory care. The program has delivered measurable improvements in resident well-being, including:

Increased engagement and quality of life
Reduced use of antipsychotic medications
Decreased challenging behaviours

Founded at Aster Gardens in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Spark Memory Living by Optima creates a lived experience based on respect, love, and dignity, serving as a model of excellence in memory living. Aster Gardens has also become a sanctuary for families, as shared by one resident's family:

“I know that I speak for my entire family when I say that we feel that our parents are now in very capable hands and receive excellent care on a daily basis: monitoring of their daily medications, nutritious meals, exercise programs, arts programs, and cognitive skills programs, all of which have helped to stabilize their overall health as well as to slow the progression of their dementia,” said John S. (son of Ken and Brenda S.)

Key Initiatives and Achievements

Optima Living TV
Dr. Wagg is a key contributor to Optima Living TV, a video series offering credible, informative and engaging content for seniors. His episodes—“Fitness in Later Life” and “Happy Bladder, Happy Life”—deliver practical health advice in an accessible and relatable format, resonating widely with viewers.
Research and Clinical Development
As a clinical lead, Dr. Wagg helped design and validate Optima’s Brain Health and Memory Living programs, ensuring they align with the latest research in cognitive health and aging. His input has strengthened the scientific foundation of Optima’s approach to senior living.
Educational Leadership
A frequent keynote speaker, Dr. Wagg shares his expertise on healthy aging, dementia, and mental health through webinars, summits, and public engagements. His contributions foster a strong culture of continuous learning across Optima Living communities.
Community Engagement and Innovation
From public speaking to co-developing educational resources, Dr. Wagg is actively involved in initiatives that bring residents, families, and care teams closer together. His work ensures Optima Living’s programs remain dynamic, inclusive, and responsive to evolving care needs.

As we continue to expand our horizons, Optima Living and the University of Alberta remain committed to the pursuit of innovation and excellence in senior care. Together, we aim to shape a future where aging is celebrated, communities are empowered, and every individual thrives with dignity and purpose.

About Dr. Adrian Wagg

Dr. Adrian Wagg is a globally recognized Professor of Healthy Aging at the University of Alberta. With decades of experience in geriatrics and dementia research, Dr. Wagg has helped shape best practices in senior care across Canada and beyond.

About Optima Living

Founded in 2007 by two friends inspired by a love for seniors and their families’ dementia journeys, Optima Living was created to offer a more home-like experience in seniors housing and care.

What began as a personal mission has grown into one of Western Canada’s leading senior living and continuing care providers, offering Independent Living, Assisted Living, Supportive Living, Long-Term Care, Brain Health and Memory Care, including Optima’s own proprietary brain health and care model: Spark, Your Wellness, Your Way.

Today, we are the only Top 10 Canadian senior living and care provider focused exclusively on Western Canada, serving 4,300+ residents in Alberta and British Columbia.

Guided by our North Star, Let us welcome you home™, we are committed to People, Place, and Community. With a resident-first philosophy, deep community ties, and a focus on innovation, we are shaping a future defined by integrity, dignity, and empathy.